Post-hole digger



(NoModel.)

J.-Y LBB. y POST HOLE BIGGER.

No.. 253.929. Patented Feb. 21,1882.v

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LEE, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

POST-HOLE BIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 253,929, dated February 21, 1882.

` Application filed October 4, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN LEE, of Manseld, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Post-Hole Diggers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference bein gh'ad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure] is a side view of my improved posthole digger. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line w w. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line y y, and Fig. 5 is a detail view ofthe top of the handle and tamper.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to post-hole diggers; and it consists in certain improvements iu the construction of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A and B represent the main handles or levers of my improved post-hole digger, the lower ends of which are provided with anged castings or sockets C D, having shoulders E to support the lower ends of the handles. These castings are formed or provided with divergin g arms F, to which the digging-blades are attached, as will be hereinafter described. vThe casting C has an inwardly-projecting arm or plate, G, passing through a slot in the lever A, andinto a slot, H, in lever B and socket D, where it is adjustably secured by a thumb-screw, I.

The arms F are provided at their lower ends with transverse notches G2, in which the digging blades or spades J are secured by means of set-screws K, or by bolts, or in any other suitable manner.

To the upper end of the lever B is pivoted a cam-lever, L, having ail-,angular slot, M, working upon a stud, N, on*f the face of the lnain lever or handle A, andcapable of being operated or adjusted by means of a crank or handle, O. By this simple mechanism the levers and spades may be locked in an open or closed position before entering and previous To the upper end of lever A is attached av chisel or stone-breaker, Q, provided with a socket, Q', by which it is adjusted-upon the end of said lever. Said chisel has a transverse opening, S, communicating. with a vertical opening, S', in the upper end of the socket, to

enable a barbed pin, T, to be driven into the end of the handle, and thus secure the chisel in position. The edge of the' chisel is protected by aremovable weight, B, which greatly assists the operator in forcing or driving the digger into hard soil, and which also, by inverting the tool, will serve as a ralnmer or tam perfor packing the earth around posts after they have been planted. The chisel servesvto break any stones which may be encountered in digging the holes.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. It is simple, convenient, durable, and easily operated. It maybe advantageously us'ed for prospecting for minerals or water, fordigging wells, and for inaking holes ot' any depth by splicing the main lever or handle and operating the lever B by means of a rod or wire att-ached to the end of cam-lever L. In this case a tamper of considerable weight willbe useful in aiding to drive the digger 5 likewise the device may be employed for making ditches and drains, and for a variety of other purposes.

By disconnecting the handles or levers each may be separately used as a spade for digging purposes.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a post-hole digger, the sockets C I), having shoulders E E, and provided respect- -ively with a laterally-projecting arm, G, and a slot, H, in combination with the handle 'Aand lever B, arranged and operating as herein described, ior the purpose set forth.

IOO

2. In a post-hole digger, the combination of In testimony that I claim the foregoing as the handle A, secured to socket C, having latmy own I have hereto affixed my signature in erally-projeeting arm G, the handle B, pivoted presence of two witnesses.

to said arm, and the cam-lever L, pivoted to JOHN LEE. 5 handleB, and having an angular slot, M, work- Witnesses:

ing upon a stud, N, of handle A, substantially A. J. ENDLY,

as and for the purpose set forth. JOHN LEE, J r. 

